Paris: Paris Saint-Germain will be without injured captain Thiago Silva for Tuesday's Champions League last 16 first leg against Barcelona, the club revealed on Monday.

The Brazilian centre-back is suffering from "a persistent left calf problem", a club source said.

File photo taken of Paris Saint-Germain's Thiago Silva. AFP

Media reports said Silva had missed Monday's final training session ahead of the game at the Parc des Princes and would not make the 18-man squad named by coach Unai Emery.

Silva watched his teammates do their work while sat on an icebox.

The 32-year-old had already missed last Friday's 3-0 win at Bordeaux in Ligue 1 with a minor muscle problem but had been expected to be ready in time to face the Spanish giants.

Earlier, Emery said that PSG would only stand a chance if they would be aggressive on the ball.

"The most important thing will be to win the challenges otherwise tactics will mean nothing," he told a news conference.

PSG have been eliminated in the quarter-finals twice, in 2013 and 2015, by Barcelona, who will start the tie as favourites.

"We know this team very well and that's an advantage. This tie is the perfect occasion for the club to grow," Emery said.

PSG are looking to reach the quarter-finals for the fifth season in succession. They are also without ex-Barcelona midfielder Thiago Motta due to suspension. However, Argentine playmaker Javier Pastore could feature.

Silva's place in central defence may be filled by the young Presnel Kimpembe alongside Marquinhos with Blaise Matuidi set to inherit the captain's armband.